WRS concludes that if Republicans are going to win in '08 they will have to do it by running on "local" issues. And prayer.

Which makes sense to us.

We've spent some time over the last week talking with national GOP strategists living "inside-the-beltway" (amazingly, they still take our calls) and we haven't seen an organization this out to lunch since, well, since forever.

It's like 2006 never happened.

As near as we can tell, the national GOP game plan for 2008 seems to be to expose Democrat Candidate X's "Ted Kennedy values". And go ugly early.

In other words, the RNC/NRCC/NRSC's message in '08 will be "our Democrat opponent will vote with Ted Kennedy to let illegal aliens stay in this country to rape our women and children".

That (lack of a) message is not going to take the GOP over the mountaintop in 2008. Not even close.

Especially when Democrat Candidate X will just smile at the Ted Kennedy accusation, point at a picture of George Bush and say, "At least I don't represent that guy."

Checkmate.

In 2008, in swing districts around the country, Ted Kennedy is going to beat out George Bush.

Which has got the national GOP stammering and stuttering like it's their job. Which it actually is.

So our advice to GOP candidates in '08 is to spend less time on the phone with Washington and more time down at your local diner/school board meeting/dump/shopping mall talking with real people. Who will help you craft a real message. Which might actually allow you to win.

All politics is local. And Washington doesn't know 80% of what it pretends to know.

So take DC's money. Take their nuts and bolts organizational know-how. But hang up the phone when their message "wizards" start yapping.

And then go treat yourself to a doughnut. You've really got nothing to lose.

Who "We" Are

is a citizen pundit covering the 2008 Presidential election (among other things). Monday Morning Clacker plays favorites - BIG TIME. Most of what you read on this blog is true. It is certainly only one man’s opinion. Clacker’s parents/friends only hope that he makes it out of ’08 without being sued for slander.

What Is A "Monday Morning Clacker"?

Monday Morning is taken from the expression "Monday Morning Quarterback" - we try to remind ourselves not to take ourselves too seriously around here.
Clacker is taken from the Cowboy Governor, who has declared his disgust with Washington DC "Clackers" (read: Press).

If you haven't got anything nice to say about anybody come sit next to me